TORRINGTON - When it came time to help his companion of almost 14 years, Brian Sullivan was at a loss of what to do.

Sullivan was living at the FISH shelter with his cat, Rocco, while in the process of getting back on his feet. After losing most of his money investing in the northern California gold mining industry, Sullivan became homeless, living out of his truck. The shelter soon took him and Rocco in.

About a week ago, Sullivan said he noticed Rocco wasn't acting the same, and found a cyst on his right hind leg.

"He was sick and in need of some medical treatment," Sullivan said during an interview Wednesday. "I had no money to help him, so I reached out to who I thought could help Rocco."

"They called me back and few hours later and said they could check Rocco out," Sullivan said.

The Vietnam-era veteran took Rocco to the hospital where Grasson said she boarded him before the operation to remove the almost baseball-sized cyst from the cat. Sullivan was not charged for the procedures and said the doctors were also able to find and treat an abscess in the cat's mouth.

"They were amazing; just so professional and kind," Sullivan said. "They were able to treat Rocco and provide medication to help in his recovery as well."

Sullivan has since left the FISH shelter to move to a veteran's home in Rocky Hill while he continues to look for a permanent residence. Rocco will stay with Sullivan's friends in Suffield until such time as the two can be reunited.

"We have a few situations like Brian's each year at the hospital," Grasson said. "We have some clients that make anonymous donations to a fund that we have that can go to help people like Brian and their animals."

Grasson said she and her technicians donated their time to perform the surgery that Rocco needed. "We have a dedicated staff that wanted to see Rocco more comfortable than he was. Brian was so nice and reached out to us; we wanted to help him out as much we could."

"Dr. Grasson and her staff helped us out so much," Sullivan said. "Rocco and I have spent so much time clinging to each other through everything; I didn't want to lose him. I am just so happy I was able to find them and the staff was able to give him the care he needed."

Reach Mike Agogliati by email at magogliati@registercitizen.com and by telephone at (860) 489-3121 Ext. 324. On Twitter @mikeagogliati and @registercitizen.

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